Recently a project was awarded by Dubai International Airport Authority to International Foundation Group L.L.C. to augment the storm-water drainage system in Dubai International Airport by micro-tunnelling.

Quickly and safely crossing under airport taxiways and runways is one of the supreme disciplines of mechanized tunnelling – especially when flight operations cannot be interrupted. Heave, settlement or other impairment of this sensitive infrastructure must be avoided by all means. Herrenknecht tunnel boring machines in the hands of skillful tunnel builders are ideally equipped for this delicate task.

Dubai International Airport handles the most passengers worldwide – nearly 90 million per year – and is the hub of air traffic in the Persian Gulf. The operators are constantly investing in capacity expansion.

As part of Dubai International Airport Expansion Phase 3, Herrenknecht's AVND2400AB excavated three 610, 765 and 825 meter long sections for a new stormwater drainage tunnel. At depths of 13 to 15 meters, using the pipe jacking method the machine crossed under the Terminal 2 taxiways while operations continued uninterrupted. On the longest drive an average of 15 meters of tunnel with an inside diameter of 2,400 millimeters were built per day.

The new pipelines will provide instant collection and transfer of rainwater during the heaviest of storms, preventing ponding and accumulation of water on the running surfaces, which is crucial to maintaining smooth, uninterrupted flight operations.